Ice skate construction



1966 H. o. JACOBSON 3,279,807

ICE SKATE CONSTRUCTION Filed April 15, 1964 VENTOR.

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United States Patent i 3,279,807 ICE SKATE CONSTRUCTION Harvey 0. Jacobson, Park Ridge, 11]., assignor to Nestor Johnson Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Apr. 15, 1964, Ser. No. 359,840 8 Claims. (Cl. 28011.17)

a support to which the heel and sole bearing plates are joined by vertical struts or cups as they are known. Conventionally the tubular portions are cut to required size and their toe and heel ends closed by tapering the tube section and flattening the end portions thereof so that they may be welded together and serve in aligning the tubular portion above the top edge of the runner for the spotwelding operation.

However, in the rough and tumble action characterizing the game of hockey, serious injuries have resulted from an accidental jab of the heel end of skates so constructed. As a consequence, many leagues and coaches of hockey teams have insisted that their players and those of opposing teams have the heel end of the tubular portion of their ice skates covered by some type of blunt protective device. In the past this has been accomplished either by riveting a plastic tip over the end of the runner or leaving the end of the tube open and fixing a plastic insert therein. It also has been proposed to connect a channeled stay between the heel end of the tubular section of the runner and the underside of the heel bearing plate. However, these added pieces break off in the rough contact which characterizes the game of hockey and leave the increased hazard of a jagged edge of metal or plastic. Also, the portion that breaks off if left on the rink ice becomes an additional hazard to the skaters. There also exists the hazard of the skate or hockey stick of an opposing skater catching on the protruding edges of such added pieces.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved construction of tubular ice skate particularly adapted for use in hockey play and which has its tubular supporting portion so constructed as to minimize the possibility of opposing players being seriously cut from accidental jabs of the heel of the skate runner, as in a fall.

In keeping with this object, a feature of the invention is that it provides a construction of tubular ice skates wherein the rear end of the tubular supporting member has a rounded or ball shaped surface which protrudes slightly beyond the rear edge of the runner and acts as a buffer between said runner edge and the body of a skater to prevent said rear edge of the runner cutting the skater in a sudden jab as during a scramble or fall. The blunted or rounded protruding surface of said rear end, on the other hand, being free of sharp corners or edges will itself not cut. Moreover the construction is one not susceptible to damage or destruction.

To these ends, it is a further feature of the invention that the tubular supporting member comprises two portions, the inner ends of which are located in adjacent relation and so that they can be enclosed, at least partially, by the flanges of the rear cup carrying the heel supporting plate. One of the advantages thereof is that the rearward tubular portion can be formed to a standard length which can be easily manipulated in the necessary drawing of its outer end about an appropriate mandrel so as to be given 3,279,807 Patented Oct. 18, 1966 ice the mentioned blunted or rounded shape, and a shape which is free of projecting corners or edges when subsequently assembled on the runner. On the other hand, the longer forward tubular portions of more simple construction can be cut to required length so as to be assembled with and to accommodate different sizes of skates.

Still another feature of the invention is that aligning means are provided both said portions of the tubular sup- 7 port by which they are properly located with respect to each and along the top edge of the skate runner.

More specifically, the outer ends of the two tubular portions include shaped portions which rest on correspondingly located portions of the skate runner, also a hollow dowel or open-ended tube is inserted within the inner end of the shorter rearward tubular portion and so as to have a protruding part with which the inner end of the forward tubular portion slidably interfits.

In accordance with the invention, said hollow tube or dowel has a lengthwise extending groove or recess struck along its under side which serves as an Ialigning seat to engage the top edge of the skate runner when assembling the two portions of the tubular support thereon. Consequently the two portions constituting the tubular support can be conveniently properly aligned on the top edge of the runner in relation to each other, and the rounded end of the rearward portion properly located with the rear edge of the skate runner.

In the final assembly, with the flanges of the heel plate supporting cup lapping the adjacent ends of the two tubular port-ions, the dowel also imparts strength to the assembly by providing resistance to torsion which might otherwise occur at the joint.

Therefore, still another feature of the present invention is that it provides a permanent construction of ice skate and one which by reason of its integral construction can take the violent action characterizing the game of hockey without being damaged or breaking. At the same time the rounded, slightly protruding rear end of the tubular portion of the skate serves as a buffer to prevent the relatively sharp edge of the runner coming into contact with the body portion of an opposing player or some portion of his own body. Said rear end is also of a shape which itself is not capable of inflicting a cut in consequence to a sudden jab. Neither is the construction of skate one that can be easily broken or otherwise converted to a form capable of producing a cut.

Many other objects, advantages and/or features of the invention will be apparent or will become so from the embodiment thereof hereinafter described in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the in vention.

Referring therefore to the drawings wherein like parts are identified by like reference numerals: A

FIGURE 1 is -a side elevational view of a tubular ice skate constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded view showing the two parts comprising the tubular support of said skate construction before they have been assembled together and over the top edge of the runner;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the runner with which the tubular support of FIGURE 2 is to be assembled;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view taken longitudinally of the skate construction illustrating the invention and shows the arrangement of the tubular parts and run ner in the completed construction;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 55 of FIGURE 4 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 66 of said FIGURE 4 also looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIGURE 7 is a rear end view of the tubular skate comprising the invention,

Referring now more specifically to the several views which illustrate the invention and first to FIGURE 1,

an ice skate constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a runner indicated generally at 12 having a relatively long forward tubular supporting member 14 and a shorter rearwardly located tubular support member 16 which have adjacently located inner ends '38, 40 and together extend the length of the upper edge 18 of the runner 12. Both said rearwardly and forwardly located tubular support members 16, 14 have depending flanges '20 and 21, respectively, which engage on opposed sides of the upper margin of runner 12 and are aflixed thereto, as by spot-welding.

In accordance with the invention the rear edge 22 of runner 12 is turned upwardly along a rearwardly-directed arc as is also the rear portion 24 of the top edge 18 of the runner 12 (FIGURE 3) so as to form an abutment at 26. The outer end 28 of rearward tubular support member 16 has been shaped about a mandrel into a rounded blunt shaped end surface 30 illustrated best in FIGURE 7, and so as to have an inturned lip or ledge 32 which rests on abutment 26 of the skate runner 12. As illustrated by FIGURES 1 and 7, when properly assembled, the outer end 28 of the rearward tubular support member 16 is located by resting lip 32 on abutment 26 so that its blunted rounded end surface 30 protrudes rearwardly of the rearrnost extent of the arcuately-shaped rear edge 22 of runner 12, and also fairs into the arcuate shape of said rear edge 22. By reason thereof, it will be the blunted or rounded end surface '28 of the tubular portion 16 rather than the more sharp edge 22 of runner 12 which makes initial contact with the person of an opposing player during a scramble or fall. At the same time it is suificiently larger than the runner edge and because it also fairs therewith, there are no sharp edges or corners :which would themselves out in an abrupt or sudden jab.

Secured Within the inner end 38 of rearward tubular support member 16 as by welding is an open-ended hollow dowel or tube 34. As shown in FIGURE 2, dowel 34 is initially assembled within inner end 38 of tubular support member 16 so that it has a protruding portion 36 with which the inner end 40 of the forward tubular support telescopically interfits. Also as shown in FIG- URES 4 and the under side of dowel 34 has been struck lengthwise to provide a groove or recess 42 which functions as a seat to engage and rest on the top edge of the runner 12. The depth of said longitudinally extending recess 42 is related to lip 32 so that in cooperation therewith, tubular support member 16 will be located at the right height and also will accommodate sliding movement of said tubular member 16 in locating its rounded end surface 28 with respect to the rear edge 22 of runner 12. Preferably the two members 14 and 1 6 comprising the tubular skate support are initially assembled by interfitting the inner end of support member 14 with dowel 34 and then positioning the assembly over the top edge 18 of runner 12. Protruding portion 36 of dowel 34 also facilitates any longitudinal adjustment required of the two tubular support members 14 and 16 in order to properly align their outer ends with respect to the runner 12. Their mentioned telescopic connection maintains their desired aligned relation during such adjustment and also provides support for the inner ends 38, 40 of said tubular support members 14, 16 if they do not exactly meet but are slightly separated or spaced after final adjustment of said members 14, 16 of the tubular support along the top edge of the runner.

Referring also to FIGURES 3 and 4, it will be seen that the forward end of the top edge 18 of runner 12 is shaped to provide an aligning abutment or rest 44 and that the outer end of forward tubular support member 14 is clinched as at 46 to provide a pair of shoulders 48 which engage abutment 44. Said shoulders 48 and abutment 44 also cooperate with the protruding portion 36 of dowel 34 to properly align the forward tubular supporting member 14 at the required height off runner 12 and with respect to rearward supporting tubular member 16. When thus properly assembled, and as illustrated in FIGURE 4, the opposed flanges 20 and 21 of the two tubular support members 14 and 16 are spot-welded to runner 12 at appropriately spaced locations along the length thereof.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, at 49 and 50 are a pair of vertically disposed supporting cups having spaced flanges 52 and 54, respectively, which lap opposed side surfaces of the horizontal tubular supports comprising members 14 and 16. Runner 12 also has an integrally formed vertically extending upright or strut 56 at its forward end. Forward vertical cup 50 is shown as having its flanges 54 welded or otherwise secured to the forward tubular supporting member 14 intermediate the ends thereof and functions with strut 56 to support a sole-bearing plate 58. For this purpose vertical cup 50 is flanged as at 60 to which is riveted or otherwise secured the sole plate 58. Appropriate U-shaped connection means 62 have their bight portion welded or riveted to the under side of the front edge of the sole plate 58, the legs thereof straddling strut 56 and connected thereto as by a rivet 64 which is passed through the provided opening 66 in strut 56 (FIGURE 3). Previously mentioned vertically extending cup 49 supports a heel-bearing plate 68 which may be separately formed and riveted to the flanged upper edge thereof or said heel plate 68 may comprise said flange itself and therefore be integral with the cup 49. In accordance with the invention, to provide maximum strength and rigidity to the connection of the tubular support members 14 and 16 about dowel 34, the length of the rearward tubular support member 16 is standardized so that the adjacent inner ends 38, 40 of the two tubular members will always lie beneath the flanges 52 of said vertical cup 49 and preferably will be cen tered with respect thereto. Thus arranged, flanges 52 have wide area surface contact with both members 14, 16 adjacent their ends 38, 40 and because they are welded to both members, cooperate with dowel 34 to resist torsion and separation of said ends at their connection to dowel 34. The flanges by reason of this location also help to conceal the seam. When assembled, the top edge of the seam accessible through the hollow cut 49 may be soldered to further rigidity the connection of said members 14, 16 to dowel 34.

It will be appreciated that, although as thus far illustrated :and described the rearward tubular support member 16 is made sufficiently shorter than the longer forward tubular supporting member 14 so that the adjacent inner ends of the two tubular support members 14, 16 will be lapped and thereby reinforced by flanges 52 of the rear vertical cup 49, the dimensions of said tubular members 14 and 16 might be reversed. In this event, the inner ends 38, 48 of the tubular members 14, 16 would be located beneath, and therefore reinforced by, flanges 54 of the forward vertical cup 50. Conceivably, although less advantageously, said adjacent inner ends 38, 40 of the two tubular supporting members also might be located at some other location, for example, intermediate the two vertical cups. Although this would produce a weaker construction, it could be strengthened by welding a separately formed U-shaped member over the thus located inner end-s of the two tubular members. However, in accordance with the invention, it is preferred to avoid this additional and therefore more expensive operation by utilizing the fianges of either the forwardly located cup 50 or preferably the rearward-ly located vertical cup 49, since said cups must necessarily be attached to the tubular support in order to secure the heel and sole supporting plates 68 and 58 to the ice skate and be useful to attach the skate to a shoe.

As thus described it will be apparent that all of the recited objects, advantages and features of the invention have been demonstrated as obtainable in a highly practical and economical construction. Furthermore, it will be apparent that modifications of the described and illustrated embodiment of the invention as well as rearrangements and/or substitution of parts thereof may be had within the spirit of the invention in the accomplishment of said objects and features recited therefor and accordingly are to be considered as a part of the invention except insofar as limited by the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a tubular ice skate construction, a runner having an upturned rear edge, forward and rearward tubular support members having spaced depending flanges extending lengthwise of the top edge of the runner, the rearward tubular support member having an integral closed convexly rounded outer end which includes a portion engaging on the upper end of the upwardly turned rear edge of the runner, the forward tubular support memher having a clinched outer end which includes shoulders engaging the upper edge of the runner, said forward and rearward tubular support members having adjacently located inner ends, and aligning means interfitting with said inner ends thereof said depending flanges being welded to opposed sides of the top edge of the runner.

2. In a tubular ice skate construction, a runner having an upturned rear edge, forward and rearward tubular supporting members having spaced depending flanges extending lengthwise of the top edge of the runner, the rearward tubular support member also having a closed rounded outer end including a ledge engaging the upper end of the upwardly turned rear edge of the runner, and the flanges of said forward and rearward tubular support members being fixedly secured to the two sides of said runner with their inner ends in adjacent aligned relation.

3. A tubular ice skate construction comprising a runner having a rear edge, forward and rearward tubular supporting members having adj acently located inner ends and spaced depending flanges fixedly secured along the two sides of the top edge of the runner with the inner ends thereof in aligned relation, the rearward tubular member having a rounded outer end surface disposed beyond the rear edge of the runner said rounded outer end surface being integrally formed of the rearward tubular supporting member.

4. A tubular ice skate construction comprising a runner having a rear edge, forward and rearward tubular supporting members having spaced flanges fixedly secured on opposite sides of the upper margin of the runner, the rearward tubular member having a closed outer end shaped as a blunted continuation of the rear edge of the runner, and said tubular supporting members having means for retaining said members in aligned position on said runner.

5. A tubular ice skate construction comprising a runner having a rear edge, forward and rearward tubular supporting members each having spaced flanges fixedly secured along the top of the runner, the rearward tubular member having a closed outer end surface projecting behind said rear edge of the runner, and dowel means interfitting with the inner ends of said forward and rearward tubular supporting members and a pair of uprights secured to the tubular supporting members by which the ice skate is attachable to a shoe.

6. A tubular ice skate construction comprising a runner having a rear edge, forward and rearward tubular support members fixedly secured along the top of the runner, the rearward tubular support member having a closel blunted outer end surface located beyond said rear edge of the runner and approximately merging therewith, dowel means inserted in the adjacent inner ends of said forward and rearward located tubular support members, and a pair of uprights fixed to said tubular support members by which the ice skate is attachable to a shoe, one of said uprights including flange portions which lap said adjacent inner ends of the two tubular supporting members and are secured thereto.

7. In a tubular ice skate construction, a runner having an upturned rear edge, a tubular support extending lengthwise of the top edge of the runner, said tubular support comprising front and rear portions having adjacently-located inner ends and depending flanges which engage about the opposed sides of the upper margin of the runner and are fixedly secured thereto, the rear tubular support portion having a closed rounded outer end terminating in a ledge which rests on the upper end of the upwardly turned rear edge of the runner, said closed rounded end projecting beyond as a substantial continuation of said upwardly turned rear edge of the runner, and an aligning reinforcing dowel closely fitting within the adjacent inner ends of the front and rear portions of the tubular support, said dowel having a recessed under side in which is received the upper edge of the runner, and a pair of cups secured to said tubular support which support heel and sole plates by which the ice skate is attached to a shoe, one of said cups having depending flanges which engage about and are secured to said adjacently-located inner ends of the two portions of the tubular support.

8. A tubular ice skate construction comprising a runner, forward and rearward tubular supporting members having flange portions which lap and are secured along opposed sides of the top edge of the runner, the rearward tubular support member having a closed blunted end surface located rearwardly of and approximating fairing into the rear edge of the runner, and hollow dowel means interfitting with the inner ends of said forward and rearward tubular supporting members, said dowel including a recessed portion resting on the upper edge of the runner.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,472,886 11/1923 Reach 280l1.17 1,750,689 3/1930 Schmidt 28011.l7 1,771,755 7/1930 Heath 280-ll.l7 3,041,080 6/1962 Coutre 28011.l2 3,095,208 6/1963 Shaw 280l 1.17

BENJAMIN HERSH, Primary Examiner.

MILTON L. SMITH, Examiner. 

1. IN A TUBULAR ICE SKATE CONSTRUCTION, A RUNNER HAVING AN UPTURNED REAR EDGE, FORWARD AND REARWARD TUBULAR SUPPORT MEMBERS HAVING SPACED DEPENDING FLANGES EXTENDING LENGTHWISE OF THE TOP EDGE OF THE RUNNER, THE REARWARD TUBULAR SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING AN INTEGRAL CLOSED CONVEXLY ROUNDED OUTER END WHICH INCLUDES A PORTION ENGAGING ON THE UPPER END OF THE UPWARDLY TURNED REAR EDGE OF THE RUNNER, THE FORWARD TUBULAR SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING A CLINCHED OUTER END WHICH INCLUDED SHOULDERS ENGAGING THE UPPER EDGE OF THE RUNNER, SAID FORWARD AND REARWARD TUBULAR SUPPORT MEMBERS HAVING ADJACENTLY LOCATED INNER ENDS, AND ALIGNING MEANS INTERFITTING WITH SAID INNER ENDS THEREOF SAID DEPENDING FLANGES BEING WELDED TO OPPOSED SIDES OF THE TOP EDGE OF THE RUNNER. 